Makar registered two assists, including one on the power play, and blocked three shots in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Kings.
Makar was limited by a lower-body injury during the preseason, appearing in just one exhibition game. The 27-year-old has battled a few injury issues over the years, though he's played in at least 75 regular-season contests in each of the last three years. His offense came down a bit last year with 79 points in 75 regular-season games, compared to 92 points in 2024-25. Makar is one of a few defensemen who annually threatens for 20 goals and a point-per-game pace, and he'll also be a force with the man advantage in addition to his prolific even-strength work.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Set to play in Friday's preseason game
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Makar (lower body) will make his first and only preseason appearance Friday against Winnipeg, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar entered training camp with a lower-body injury but shed his non-contact jersey this week and has been a full participant in practice. The 27-year-old will sit in Saturday's preseason finale against Utah, but that seems to be related more to managing his workload ahead of the regular season rather than due to his lower-body issue. Makar made 75 regular-season appearances with Colorado last year and recorded 20 goals, 59 assists, 118 blocked shots, 35 hits and 24 PIM while averaging 24:51 of ice time. He was rewarded with the largest contract in NHL history in August and should be available for Wednesday's Opening Night matchup against Los Angeles.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Ditches non-contact jersey
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Makar (lower body) was a full participant in Tuesday's training camp session and could suit up for one of Colorado's upcoming preseason games, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Makar was able to shed the non-contact jersey at Tuesday's practice, which is an encouraging sign for the superstar defenseman. The 27-year-old blueliner wasn't expected to miss any time to begin the regular season, so it appears as if his recovery is on schedule. Across 75 regular-season games in the 2025-26 campaign, he maintained strong numbers with 20 goals, 79 points, 199 shots on net, a plus-32 rating and 118 blocked shots. Head coach Jared Bednar mentioned that Makar is trending towards playing in one of the team's preseason games this weekend, meaning we could see the star blueliner as early as Friday against Winnipeg.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Dealing with lower-body injury
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Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday that Makar is dealing with a lower-body injury, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
While Makar is unlikely to be ready for the first day of training camp, he's expected to return to full health before the regular season begins. He was banged up during Colorado's playoff run, but his current injury is unrelated. The 27-year-old signed the largest contract in NHL history in August, agreeing to an eight-year, $163.2 million extension. After back-to-back regular seasons with at least 90 points, Makar took a slight step back in 2025-26, but he still recorded 20 goals, 59 assists, 118 blocked shots, 35 hits and 24 PIM while averaging 24:51 of ice time per game.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Signs largest contract in NHL history
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Makar signed an eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension with the Avalanche on Friday, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar was believed to be trending toward reaching a long-term agreement with the Avalanche in recent days, and his deal will ultimately make him the highest-paid player in NHL history. Following back-to-back seasons with at least 90 points, Makar appeared in 75 regular-season games last year and racked up 20 goals, 59 assists, 118 blocked shots, 35 hits and 24 PIM while averaging 24:51 of ice time. He's established himself as a top blueliner in the NHL and will now remain under contract with the Avalanche through the 2034-35 season.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Set to play in Game 3
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Makar (upper body) is in the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals in Vegas on Sunday, according to Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Makar took line rushes with his usual partner, Devon Toews, during warmups after being deemed a game-time decision earlier Sunday. It's unclear if Makar is fully healthy, but he'll attempt to help his team avoid a 3-0 series deficit Sunday. Barring an in-game setback, the all-world blueliner should quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit. Nick Blankenburg is set to be a healthy scratch in Game 3 due to Makar's return.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Slated to be game-time call
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Makar (upper body) will be a game-time decision against Vegas on Sunday in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar has missed the last two games. He has compiled four goals, five points, 22 shots on net and 18 blocked shots across nine appearances this postseason. If Makar is available to return to the lineup, Nick Blankenburg will probably be a healthy scratch against the Golden Knights on Sunday.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Ruled out for Game 2
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Makar (undisclosed) will not be in action to face the Golden Knights in Game 2 on Friday, Eric Francis of Sportsnet reports.
Makar skated with the No. 1 power-play unit at Friday's morning skate, but it seems the 27-year-old blueliner still isn't ready to suit up. In the absence of Makar, Devon Toews figures to take on an increased role, including with the man advantage, and should be a player to target in daily formats. For his part, once Makar is cleared, he figures to return to being a 25-plus minute-a-night player.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Will miss Game 1
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Makar (undisclosed) is day-to-day and won't play in Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday, per Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette.
Makar's absence is a shocking development and one that's terrible for the Avalanche. Although it's been suspected that the defenseman hasn't been fully healthy, especially given his lack of practice time during the playoffs, Makar still appeared in Colorado's first nine postseason outings this year while averaging 24:59 of ice time, including 25:50 in Colorado's 4-3 series-clinching overtime victory over Minnesota in Game 5 on May 13. Makar's exit from the lineup coincides with Sam Malinski's projected return after missing two games due to an upper-body injury. Jack Ahcan might have been a healthy scratch if Makar was available, but it now looks like Ahcan will remain in the lineup.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Expected to play Wednesday
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Makar (undisclosed) is slated to play against Vegas on Wednesday in Game 1, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Makar hasn't practiced much during the playoffs and likely isn't fully healthy, but he should be available for the start of the Western Conference Finals. He hasn't missed a game yet this postseason, compiling four goals, one assist, 22 shots on net and 18 blocked shots across nine appearances.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Is day-to-day
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Makar (undisclosed) missed Saturday's practice and is regarded as day-to-day, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
It is extraordinarily likely that Makar will play in Game 1 against Vegas on Wednesday. Makar is probably playing hurt and getting some much-needed rest in between series, but he won't miss games this important if there is any way at all to avoid being absent. The 27-year-old has four goals and nine points in 11 playoff outings this year while averaging 24:42 of ice time.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Three points after injury scare
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Makar scored twice on three shots, added an assist, blocked two shots, added two PIM and went plus-2 in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Wild in Game 1.
Makar missed a large portion of the first period due to an injury concern, which head coach Jared Bednar had no update on after the game, per Ryan Boulding of NHL.com. The fact that Makar was not only able to return to the contest but also contribute is a positive sign, even if he's not at 100 percent. He was the only one of the 14 different goal scorers to pot multiple tallies Sunday. Makar has four goals, one assist, 15 shots on net, 13 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating over five playoff contests.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Scores in Game 4 win
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Makar scored a goal in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
After going pointless in the first two games of the series, Makar has scored in back-to-back contests. The star blueliner, who was one of the most productive defensemen in the regular season with 20 goals and 79 points in 75 contests, should continue playing a big role for the Avalanche on offense in the second round.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Tallies in win
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Makar scored a goal on four shots, blocked six shots and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Kings in Game 3.
Makar was held off the scoresheet in the first two games of the postseason. He wasn't lacking in opportunities -- he's up to 11 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through three contests against the Kings in this first-round series. If the Avalanche make a deep run, Makar will likely be heavily involved in the offense. He's made the playoffs in every year of his career, and over the last seven postseason runs, he's better than a point-per-game player with 22 goals and 63 helpers over 79 outings prior to this year.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Three assists in win
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Makar recorded three assists in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Flames.
Makar returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence due to an upper-body injury, and he did it in style by contributing directly to each of the team's goals. Makar has been an elite fantasy contributor among defensemen, and this three-assist performance elevated his helpers total to 58 on the season, the fifth-best mark among blueliners. The only defensemen who have recorded more assists than Makar are Evan Bouchard (71), Quinn Hughes (69), Lane Hutson (66) and Zach Werenski (59).
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Poised to play
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Makar (upper body) is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday versus the Flames, Conor McGahey of Altitude TV reports.
Makar was a full participant in Monday's morning skate, and it looks like he'll return Tuesday. The defenseman will be on the top pairing against his hometown team. Makar may still have his minutes managed since the Avalanche have nothing to gain by going all out in this contest.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Remains unavailable
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Makar (upper body) won't play against Edmonton on Monday, Conor McGahey of Altitude TV reports.
Makar will miss his seventh straight game, but he was a full participant in Monday's morning skate. Still, it's unclear if he will play against Calgary on Tuesday. Makar has accumulated 20 goals, 75 points, 192 shots on net and 118 blocked shots across 73 appearances this campaign.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Set to miss more time
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Makar (upper body) will likely miss a few more games, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post reports Tuesday.
Makar will miss his fourth straight game against St. Louis on Tuesday. He will probably sit out Thursday's matchup versus Calgary and Saturday's contest against Vegas. It's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup, but head coach Jared Bednar expects the 27-year-old blueliner to play before the end of the regular season. Makar has amassed 20 goals, 75 points, 192 shots on net and 118 blocked shots across 73 appearances this campaign.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Ruled out for next two games
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Makar (upper body) will not be an option for the Avs' next two contests, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports Friday.
At this point, Makar will likely miss the 90-point threshold for the first time since 2022-23. Despite his overall numbers being slightly down, the 27-year-old blueliner has already reached the 20-goal mark for the third straight year and is currently third among defensemen in points. Devon Toews figures to continue seeing a larger role, including on the power play, while Makar is sidelined.
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Avalanche's Cale Makar: Facing short-term absence
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Makar (upper body) is expected to miss a few games after head coach Jared Bednar told reporters Wednesday, "He's going to miss some time here. Nothing serious, though," Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports.
Based on Bednar's comments, Makar will likely miss at least the remainder of the week, which includes games against Vancouver on Wednesday, Dallas on Saturday and St. Louis on Sunday. While an exact timeline for Makar's return is unclear, the Avalanche probably won't rush him back with the playoffs fast approaching. In his last nine contests, the 27-year-old defenseman recorded one goal and eight assists, including six power-play points.
